“Little Joe” Pavelski showed that he is anything but little when he won the game for the Sharks in Vancouver. Leading up to this point, both teams had many chances, which amounted to a thrilling game, but little scoring. The Sharks were able to get two goals early on from Scott Gomez and Adam Burish, who were finally able to get “Off the Schnyde”. Gomez scored his first goal as a Shark in the first period off of a slapshot from the high slot. Burish scored his first goal in teal while the Canucks were on the power play early in the second period, after he received a nice pass from Brad Stuart, which sent him on a breakaway. Unfortunately, the Sharks weren’t able to hold their lead and gave up two goals in the last 6:30 of the second period. After these goals, none were scored until the shootout, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some good scoring chances. The last 10 minutes of the third period were action packed and full of chances, but neither team was able to score. Through overtime, no goals were scored either, which forced the Sharks to participate in their 7th shootout of the year. The Sharks, who entered the shootout with a record of 3-3, faced the Canucks, who entered with a shootout record of 2-4. Fortunately, with goals from Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski, the Sharks were able to win the shootout on the road, and get themselves prepared.

What the Sharks Did Well:

Special teams – The Sharks were able to shut down the Canucks power play and not let them score. Not only were they able to be strong on the penalty kill, they were able to generate some offense down a man too, in which they got a key short-handed goal from Adam Burish.

Contribution From Unusual Players – The Sharks were able to get 2 goals from players who hadn’t scored all season, Adam Burish and Scott Gomez. These players not only got their 1st goals of the season, but they got their 1st goals as Sharks. The assists on these goals also came from players that don’t normally contribute offensively; Brad Stuart and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Stuart had assists on both Gomez’s and Burish’s goals, while Vlasic had an assist on Gomez’s goal.

What the Sharks Didn’t Do Well:

Forechecking – The Sharks weren’t able to pressure the Canucks defense and create some offensive zone turnovers. Instead of having the puck in the offensive zone and trying to set up a scoring chance, because they weren’t able to create a turnover, the Sharks were forced to play defense instead of offense. The Canucks had a strong forecheck and they created many offensive zone turnovers.

Turnovers – The Sharks had several turnovers, one of which directly caused them a goal. Even if a turnover didn’t cost the Sharks a goal, they still forced the Sharks to scramble and try to get the puck back, instead of taking the puck up the ice and trying to set up a play of their own.

Didn’t Take Away Time – The Sharks allowed the Canucks to take the puck into the zone and set up plays, instead of pressuring them and causing turnovers. When good teams are allowed to take the zone and set up a play, they will make something happen, which the Canucks were able to do.